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Future of robots and AI
  • Sophia the robot. (Future Investment Initiative / YouTube)
  • If LG has its way, the company's robots will soon be serving you breakfast, carrying your luggage, and cleaning your floors. Well, assuming they can overcome some pretty basic problems like not working, that is. 

    The promise of a connected-robot future was made repeatedly Monday morning at CES in Las Vegas, with LG's vice president of US marketing, David VanderWaal, taking the stage to show off a line of AI-powered robots that are intended to both integrate with a smart home and work in commercial settings. 

    Unfortunately for all The Jetsons fanboys out there, the biggest impression was made by what was left unsaid. 

    VanderWaal first introduced CLOi, a small robot designed for the home, with an attempt at humanization. "CLOi is capable of physical and emotional interaction," he told those gathered. "She's so cute. Talk about innovation that makes you smile."

    David VanderWaal and CLOi were not getting along.

    David VanderWaal and CLOi were not getting along.

    Image: Bridget Bennett/mashable

    CLOi, for its part, must have not taken kindly to the objectification, because from that point on things clearly did not go as planned. 

    "CLOi, am I ready on my washing cycle," asked VanderWaal. He was met with silence. "Even robots have bad days," he then quipped to genial laughs around the room. 

    But the robot wasn't done with its boycott of one. VanderWaal continued to pepper it with questions, as was clearly part of his planned presentation, only to continue to be ignored.  

    "CLOi, what's for dinner tonight?" No response. "CLOi is not going to talk to me," he observed. "CLOi doesn't like me evidently."

    But still, ever the VP of marketing, VanderWaal kept trying. "CLOi are you talking to me yet?" Silence. "What recipes could I make with chicken?" Nothing. 

    CLOi, back to the world (and David).

    CLOi, back to the world (and David).

    Image: Bridget Bennett/mashable

    Which, yeah, not a good look. It's hard to convince a crowd of tech journalists and industry analysts that your AI-connected fleet of worker bots is ready for primetime when the featured unit can't even respond to expected voice commands. 

    CES is known to overflow with hype, and all too often big promises are made and then never delivered on. What isn't so common, however, is for that cycle to come to completion during a press launch event. 

    I guess LG figured out how to innovate, after all. 

  • The robotics company Boston Dynamics, known for making scarily-competent robots and then beating them up, is at it again. The company showed off the SpotMini earlier this February, a dog-like robot that can open doors and eerily resembles a creature from Black Mirror.

    Now the company has released a clip showing what happens if you try to stop the robot from opening doors. SPOILER: it doesn't appreciate the interruption. 

    The SpotMini is hit, shoved between a door, and has its tail-rope yanked back, but still claws its way through to the other side. 

    Part of me wants to call ASPCA, but I'm more scared for all of humanity. 

  • A hybrid robotic arm used for the milling of 3-D printed parts operates at the Siemens AG electronics manufacturing plant in Erlangen, Germany, on Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2019. Siemens Chief Executive Officer Joe Kaeser took a swipe at European antitrust regulators poised to block a planned rail merger with Alstom SA, saying the future of the business in the region may be determined by backward-looking technocrats. Photographer: Alex Kraus/Bloomberg via Getty Images
  • A hybrid robotic arm used for the milling of 3-D printed parts operates at the Siemens AG electronics manufacturing plant in Erlangen, Germany, on Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2019. Siemens Chief Executive Officer Joe Kaeser took a swipe at European antitrust regulators poised to block a planned rail merger with Alstom SA, saying the future of the business in the region may be determined by backward-looking technocrats. Photographer: Alex Kraus/Bloomberg via Getty Images
  • A robotic arm handles a piece of networking equipment during a control unit test at the Siemens AG electronics manufacturing plant in Erlangen, Germany, on Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2019. Siemens Chief Executive Officer Joe Kaeser took a swipe at European antitrust regulators poised to block a planned rail merger with Alstom SA, saying the future of the business in the region may be determined by backward-looking technocrats. Photographer: Alex Kraus/Bloomberg via Getty Images
  • A hybrid robotic arm used for the milling of 3-D printed parts operates behind safety glass at the Siemens AG electronics manufacturing plant in Erlangen, Germany, on Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2019. Siemens Chief Executive Officer Joe Kaeser took a swipe at European antitrust regulators poised to block a planned rail merger with Alstom SA, saying the future of the business in the region may be determined by backward-looking technocrats. Photographer: Alex Kraus/Bloomberg via Getty Images
  • HANGZHOU, CHINA - DECEMBER 17: An intelligent robot serves at Alibaba's first future hotel on December 17, 2018 in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province of China. Guests living in Alibaba's future hotel can walk into guest rooms, fitness center or restaurant via facial recognition system. Robots are also available in the hotel to provide recorded voice messages and accompany guests during their stay. (Photo by Zhang Yin/China News Service/VCG via Getty Images)
  • QINGDAO, Nov. 25, 2018 -- Students from China University of Petroleum present bionic robotic arm during the 1st China College Students' 'Energy, Intelligence and Future' Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, Nov. 25, 2018. More than one thousand students from 91 universities brought their creations to take part in the competition. (Xinhua/Li Ziheng) (Xinhua/Li Ziheng via Getty Images)
  • HANGZHOU, CHINA - DECEMBER 17: An intelligent robot serves at Alibaba's first future hotel on December 17, 2018 in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province of China. Guests living in Alibaba's future hotel can walk into guest rooms, fitness center or restaurant via facial recognition system. Robots are also available in the hotel to provide recorded voice messages and accompany guests during their stay. (Photo by Zhang Yin/China News Service/VCG via Getty Images)
  • HANGZHOU, CHINA - DECEMBER 17: An intelligent robot serves at Alibaba's first future hotel on December 17, 2018 in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province of China. Guests living in Alibaba's future hotel can walk into guest rooms, fitness center or restaurant via facial recognition system. Robots are also available in the hotel to provide recorded voice messages and accompany guests during their stay. (Photo by VCG/VCG via Getty Images)
  • ANYbotics is leading the way into the future of robot mobility and robot interaction, here is ANYmal moves and operates autonomously in challenging terrain and interacts safely with the environment is seen on November 24th, 2018 In Vijfhuizen, The Netherlands. (Photo by Romy Arroyo Fernandez/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
  • ANYbotics is leading the way into the future of robot mobility and robot interaction, here is ANYmal moves and operates autonomously in challenging terrain and interacts safely with the environment is seen on November 24th, 2018 In Vijfhuizen, The Netherlands. (Photo by Romy Arroyo Fernandez/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
  • The unique robots of Smartrobot.solutions including the dancing cyborg Elettre which is unique in the world is seen on November 24th, 2018 In Vijfhuizen, The Netherlands. (Photo by Romy Arroyo Fernandez/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
  • Sophia, a Hanson Robotics latest and most advanced robot to date and a cultural icon, on November 24th, 2018 in Vijfhuizen, The Netherlands. During the last weekend of November took place in the Expo Haarlemmermeer the eighth edition of the biggest tech festival in The Netherlands, 'Bright Day'. This festival brings all the latest developments in technology, design, new travel options. This year, the festival counts with the presence of Sophia robot, she is Hanson Robotics' latest and most advanced robot to date and a cultural icon. (Photo by Romy Arroyo Fernandez/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
  • Sophia, a Hanson Robotics latest and most advanced robot to date and a cultural icon, on November 24th, 2018 in Vijfhuizen, The Netherlands. During the last weekend of November took place in the Expo Haarlemmermeer the eighth edition of the biggest tech festival in The Netherlands, 'Bright Day'. This festival brings all the latest developments in technology, design, new travel options. This year, the festival counts with the presence of Sophia robot, she is Hanson Robotics' latest and most advanced robot to date and a cultural icon. (Photo by Romy Arroyo Fernandez/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
  • LISBON, PORTUGAL - NOVEMBER 07: Han The Robot, SingularityNET, takes the stage to deliver remarks on 'How long until robots rule the world?' on the third day of Web Summit in Altice Arena on November 07, 2018 in Lisbon, Portugal. Web Summit is an annual technology conference which brings together a variety of technology companies to discuss the future of industry. This year’s event runs from November 5- 8 and is expected to attract around 70,000 participants. (Photo by Horacio Villalobos - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)
  • Robots in charge of the reception at the Henn na Hotel, Akasaka district, Tokyo, Japan in October 2018 ( (Photo by Oleksandr Rupeta/NurPhoto via Getty Images))
  • Robots in charge of the reception at the Henn na Hotel, Akasaka district, Tokyo, Japan in October 2018 ( (Photo by Oleksandr Rupeta/NurPhoto via Getty Images))
  • A robot barista to serve coffee at Henn na Cafe, Shibuya district, Tokyo, Japan in October 2018 ( (Photo by Oleksandr Rupeta/NurPhoto via Getty Images))
  • A robot barista to serve coffee at Henn na Cafe, Shibuya district, Tokyo, Japan in October 2018 ( (Photo by Oleksandr Rupeta/NurPhoto via Getty Images))
  • An assisting robot is demonstrated during the Japan Robot Week 2018, the exhibition is held in Tokyo, Japan on October 17, 2018. Japan Robot Week is a trade show specialized in service robots and robot-related technologies. This event aims to create the future business opportunity by introducing research, development and manufacturing of robots utilized in various scenes, and robotic system integration.
  • Japan Robot Week 2018 exhibition is held in Tokyo, Japan on October 17, 2018. Japan Robot Week is a trade show specialized in service robots and robot-related technologies. This event aims to create the future business opportunity by introducing research, development and manufacturing of robots utilized in various scenes, and robotic system integration.
  • Japan Robot Week 2018 exhibition is held in Tokyo, Japan on October 17, 2018. Japan Robot Week is a trade show specialized in service robots and robot-related technologies. This event aims to create the future business opportunity by introducing research, development and manufacturing of robots utilized in various scenes, and robotic system integration.
  • Android robot of Leonardo Da Vinci is demonstrated during the Japan Robot Week 2018, the exhibition is held in Tokyo, Japan on October 17, 2018. Japan Robot Week is a trade show specialized in service robots and robot-related technologies. This event aims to create the future business opportunity by introducing research, development and manufacturing of robots utilized in various scenes, and robotic system integration.
  • Japan Robot Week 2018 exhibition is held in Tokyo, Japan on October 17, 2018. Japan Robot Week is a trade show specialized in service robots and robot-related technologies. This event aims to create the future business opportunity by introducing research, development and manufacturing of robots utilized in various scenes, and robotic system integration.
  • Android robot of Japanese actress Tetsuko Kuroyanagi is demonstrated during the Japan Robot Week 2018, the exhibition is held in Tokyo, Japan on October 17, 2018. Japan Robot Week is a trade show specialized in service robots and robot-related technologies. This event aims to create the future business opportunity by introducing research, development and manufacturing of robots utilized in various scenes, and robotic system integration.
  • Japan Robot Week 2018 exhibition is held in Tokyo, Japan on October 17, 2018. Japan Robot Week is a trade show specialized in service robots and robot-related technologies. This event aims to create the future business opportunity by introducing research, development and manufacturing of robots utilized in various scenes, and robotic system integration.
  • Japan Robot Week 2018 exhibition is held in Tokyo, Japan on October 17, 2018. Japan Robot Week is a trade show specialized in service robots and robot-related technologies. This event aims to create the future business opportunity by introducing research, development and manufacturing of robots utilized in various scenes, and robotic system integration.
  • Japan Robot Week 2018 exhibition is held in Tokyo, Japan on October 17, 2018. Japan Robot Week is a trade show specialized in service robots and robot-related technologies. This event aims to create the future business opportunity by introducing research, development and manufacturing of robots utilized in various scenes, and robotic system integration.
  • TOKYO, JAPAN - OCTOBER 17: A participant pushes a SoftBank Group Corp. Pepper humanoid robot after the World Robot Challenge competition held as part of the World Robot Summit on October 17, 2018 in Tokyo, Japan. The World Robot Summit (WRS) runs from October 17 - October 21 and consists of two parts: The 'World Robot Challenge' (WRC), a competition in which teams from around the world face nine challenges in four categories (Industrial Robotics, Service Robotics, Disaster Robotics, and Junior); and the 'World Robot Expo' (WRE), which features advanced robots and robotic technologies and provides a glimpse of robots working in the present and in the future. (Photo by Tomohiro Ohsumi/Getty Images)
  • TOKYO, JAPAN - OCTOBER 17: The Yamaha Motor Co. Motoroid 03 concept motorcycle is displayed during the World Robot Expo held as part of the World Robot Summit on October 17, 2018 in Tokyo, Japan. The World Robot Summit (WRS) runs from October 17 - October 21 and consists of two parts: The 'World Robot Challenge' (WRC), a competition in which teams from around the world face nine challenges in four categories (Industrial Robotics, Service Robotics, Disaster Robotics, and Junior); and the 'World Robot Expo' (WRE), which features advanced robots and robotic technologies and provides a glimpse of robots working in the present and in the future. (Photo by Tomohiro Ohsumi/Getty Images)
  • TOKYO, JAPAN - OCTOBER 17: The OriHime robot is demonstrated during the World Robot Expo held as part of the World Robot Summit on October 17, 2018 in Tokyo, Japan. The World Robot Summit (WRS) runs from October 17 - October 21 and consists of two parts: The 'World Robot Challenge' (WRC), a competition in which teams from around the world face nine challenges in four categories (Industrial Robotics, Service Robotics, Disaster Robotics, and Junior); and the 'World Robot Expo' (WRE), which features advanced robots and robotic technologies and provides a glimpse of robots working in the present and in the future. (Photo by Tomohiro Ohsumi/Getty Images)
  • Tourist info desk, operated by a robotic guide Chihira Junco in the Odaiba's Aqua City shopping complex, Tokyo, Japan in October 2018 ( (Photo by Oleksandr Rupeta/NurPhoto via Getty Images))
  • A teleoperate android robot called Otonaroid, resembling an adult female and developed by Hiroshi Ishiguro Laboratories, is exhibited at the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation in Tokyo, Japan on October 15, 2018 ( (Photo by Oleksandr Rupeta/NurPhoto via Getty Images))
  • A teleoperate android robot called Otonaroid, resembling an adult female and developed by Hiroshi Ishiguro Laboratories, is exhibited at the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation in Tokyo, Japan on October 15, 2018 ( (Photo by Oleksandr Rupeta/NurPhoto via Getty Images))
  • Therapeutic Seal Robot PARO, Guinness certified as the first therapy robot, is exhibited at the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation in Tokyo, Japan on October 15, 2018 ( (Photo by Oleksandr Rupeta/NurPhoto via Getty Images))
  • SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 15: Boston Dynamics' SpotMini Robot on display at WIRED25 Summit: WIRED Celebrates 25th Anniversary With Tech Icons Of The Past & Future on October 15, 2018 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for WIRED25 )
  • SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 15: Boston Dynamics' SpotMini Robot on display at WIRED25 Summit: WIRED Celebrates 25th Anniversary With Tech Icons Of The Past & Future on October 15, 2018 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for WIRED25 )
  • NANJING, CHINA - OCTOBER 11: Estun industrial robots are seen during the 2018 World Intelligent Manufacturing Summit at the Nanjing International Expo Center on October 11, 2018 in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province of China. The 2018 World Intelligent Manufacturing Summit with the theme of 'empowering the future through intelligent manufacturing' is held on October 11-13 in Nanjing. (Photo by VCG/VCG via Getty Images)
  • NANJING, CHINA - OCTOBER 11: An intelligent bionic hand holds a water bottle during the 2018 World Intelligent Manufacturing Summit at the Nanjing International Expo Center on October 11, 2018 in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province of China. The 2018 World Intelligent Manufacturing Summit with the theme of 'empowering the future through intelligent manufacturing' is held on October 11-13 in Nanjing. (Photo by VCG/VCG via Getty Images)
  • INCHEON AIRPORT, SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA - 2018/06/12: Airport visitors are communicating with a guide robot which is on display at Incheon International Airport in Seoul, South Korea. The model can recognise languages; In addition to English, it can also answer Korean, Chinese and Japanese and recognise boarding cards that are scanned on the touch screen. (Photo by Jonas Gratzer/LightRocket via Getty Images)
  • INCHEON AIRPORT, SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA - 2018/06/12: Cleaning robot from LG on display at Incheon International Airport in Seoul, South Korea. The cleaning Robot, is LG's latest addition to the international robot market. (Photo by Jonas Gratzer/LightRocket via Getty Images)
  • INCHEON AIRPORT, SOUTH KOREA - 2018/06/12: A young girl communicating with a robot that is on display at Incheon International Airport in Seoul / South Korea. The Guide Robot recognises languages; In addition to English, it can also answer Korean, Chinese and Japanese and recognise boarding cards that are scanned on the touch screen. (Photo by Jonas Gratzer/LightRocket via Getty Images)

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